bridalNEXT! ~ Meet The Judges - Shona Daly of The (Not So) Prim Girl & Prim Vintage

Our first bridalNEXT! Norwich judge is fashion maestro, vintage lover, blogger, founder of fabulous Norwich-based shop Prim Vintage and gal-about-town Shona Daly, and now also known as The (Not so) Prim Girl because of her wonderful lifestyle and fashion blog of the same name. With a life long love for fashion, an ethos to make life look as beautiful as poss, and various fashion qualifications including styling and photography as well as a stint at London College of Fashion, Shona is definitely perfectly placed to judge up and coming bridal fashion talent (especially in light of her self-confessed obsession with all things dress-shaped!) In 2008 Shona decided to channel her creativity and passion into opening Prim Vintage, located in the Norwich Lanes, where it has now acquired a reputation for one of the Fine City's coolest boutiques, stocking amazing hand picked pieces for guys and gals from the 1930's through to the 1980's.

Shona of Prim Vintage

We've quizzed Shona on what she's going to be looking for on Saturday from our  bridalNEXT! entrants, and a little about how she envisages her own nuptials should she ever decide to take the plunge...

Who or what is your biggest fashion inspiration and why?

That's a massive question! I can't say I have one overall biggest inspiration, more like a select few ladies from film, modelling and design; to name a few; 'Alabama Whirley' from True Romance, Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink, Madonna in 'Desperately Seeking Susan'... Models including Jean Shrimpton, Jean Patchett and of course, my most favourite model Kate Moss... Designers such as Coco Chanel, Mario Schwab and Christian Dior. I am constantly inspired by both vintage and modern fashion in every way.

What will you be looking for to make your decision for this year's winner?

I'll be looking for an intuitive and individual sense of style and attention to detail. I look at tailoring and fabrics and I hope to see something that has an excitement and elegance to it.
 

What don't you want to see?
I hope I don't see copies of the generic mainstream dresses that are poorly made and lack any imagination, however I get the definite feeling that I won't!

Do Prim have a secret store of wedding dresses? If so tell us more!

Of course as vintage dealers we often come across vintage wedding dresses so yes, we do have a collection. We don't keep these at the shop but they can be viewed by appointment. We have a variety of eras, but anyone hoping to buy an original wedding dress needs to remember that not only were brides in the 1930's and 40's young and tiny, but they also covered up for the big day; we have many classic ones that are long sleeved and high necked, which are sophisticated and modest. I like to think of the vintage wedding dresses as a starting point for a bride - find one you like which fits and then alter and add to it to make it your own. 

 

 
We know you are not engaged right now, but any aesthetically driven woman has a little sprinkling of ideas about a possible big day right?
Hmmm, no plans to marry right now but, IF I did I have a very vague idea and it's been the same since forever. 

So give us the low down on the look and feel you might go for if you ever decide to take the plunge...

 
Describe the dress - Even though I have no plans to marry, I do, of course have a few dresses in my collection that I would wear if it ever happened!! It would either be a frothy strapless 1950's prom dress or a long bias cut 1930's backless evening dress.
 
And the groom - Pah, the groom, it's all about the bride! It would be totally up to him what he wore.....but maybe I'd steer him toward a gold lame suit!
 
The venue: Las Vegas. The more kitsch the better!
 
The flowers: Bunches and bunches and bunches of pink peonies.
 
The party: Me and him in a Vegas honeymoon suite - that's all you need.
 

How rock'n'roll does that sound? And we think Shona would definitely make a quintessential Most Curious Bride! We can't wait to get her take on what's set to be an amazing contest! Check out all our bridalNEXT! entrants and their work at the catwalk show at this Saturday's Fair!